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Plan Now to Make Your Booth a Showstopper [ read full E-Tip here ]
Merchandising furniture, accessories, or fine art and craft is easy if you think of creating a booth that feels welcoming, warm and well lit. It can be comfy like a room, professional and clean like a gallery, or shopper friendly like a store. Think about what is best to show and sell your work and design your space accordingly.
Most importantly, don’t scrimp on electricity and lights. Plan ahead to create ample lighting, both flood and spot, that best complements your work.
Use beautiful fabric or portable hard walls to create a space that sets your work apart from the surrounding exhibitors. Scatter area rugs to frame out separate spaces within your booth.
Place your pieces at interesting angles and put your “showstopper” front and center. Leave enough room for people to walk around, sit down, open drawers, etc. People are attracted to the handmade, it appeals to their senses. Invite them to feel your work.
NO “Don’t Touch” signs, please!
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Bring a portfolio of other works and make it accessible.
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Use a laptop to show images of additional work, place it at eyelevel.
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Borrow complementary accessories and accent pieces from other exhibitors and lend them samples of your work.
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Have a writing surface available for your mailing list and make sure to ask for email addresses! o Consider a larger space. Larger spaces result in larger sales. |
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Consider a larger space. Larger spaces result in larger sales. |
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Don't overcrowd your space. Eyes need a resting place, especially at a show. |
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Mix sizes, scale and textures. Vary the heights of objects to be used together to create a staggered altitude; try to work with odd numbers of items whenever possible. |
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Add living plants and fresh flowers to heighten an organic feeling. |
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Create a large professional sign that harmonizes with your work. Make sure it states who you are, where you are located, and what you do. It should be prominently displayed and easy to read from the aisle. |
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Hang photos of additional work in use so customers can see the many ways your work can be incorporated into their lives. |
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Include explanatory signage on each piece with a price. Bring and display SOLD signs, which get visitors in the buying mood. Consider using “Available by Special Order” and “Custom Commissions Welcome” signs too. |
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Display lots of your own marketing materials. Make sure all brochures and cards look professional and represent your work well. Consider digitally printing some small cards with photos and information on individual pieces and your contact information that an interested customer can take home. |
[ read full E-Tip here ]
Previous E-Tips:
2008
July: Don’t Miss These Promotional Opportunities!
June: Marketing materials for you!
May: FREE e-marketing tools for exhibitors
March: Publicity is Worth the Effort – Credibility Sells!
February: Contract to exhibit EARLY and reap these benefits
2007
November: Boost Your After-Show Sales
September: Increase Show Sales with These Simple Tips
August: To Do Checklist & Show Packing List
Articles:
Five Things You Can Do To Turn a Show Around—Fast by Quinn McDonald
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Contracted Exhibitors Check-In